Those seeking a culinary interlude on their way from London to Cornwall, or somewhere luxurious to sleep on the outskirts of Exeter, should book a dine-and-stay experience at this charming restaurant with rooms: The Salutation Inn, Topsham.

The historic port town located on the winding River Exe – just off the M5 yet close to countryside – is a hub of indie shops, restaurants and waterside pubs.

The Salutation Inn Topsham has been at its heart since 1720 and has a long history of serving patrons as a pub. However, when Tom and Amelia Williams-Hawkes took over in 2012 they transformed it into a refined dining destination.

Over the past decade, the couple have garnered a fantastic reputation for serving some of the best food in the area. The à la carte and tasting menus have a piscatorial leaning (Tom’s dad was a salmon fisherman for 30 years and The Salutation has an in-house fishmongers, SALT), but they also showcase some of the region’s finest meat and veg producers. Menu items such as a hot seafood platter of oysters, crab, scallops, langoustine, mussels, three species of wild fish, Cornish new potatoes and green salad are composed creatively and presented with flair by head chef Luke Heaver.

Trencherman’s tip

While the restaurant space is ideal for an intimate dinner, take lunch or afternoon tea in the GlassHouse: a historic courtyard under a modern glazed atrium that’s been given a contemporary botanical vibe.